In May 1989, the only surviving Shakespearian theater, the Rose, was located and partly excavated. It became the subject of actors' vigils to stop its destruction through redevelopment, and was briefly reprieved, only to receive a different excavation team and be covered in for preservation and later display. The whole affair was bad for developers and archaeology alike, and three lessons are drawn: our profession must resolve the debate on excavation versus preservation; English Heritage needs a more open and responsive style of operation; and the position of archaeology in the planning process must be guaranteed.